Cupping (Hijama) Is the Best of Remedies:
Anas ibn Maalik r.a. reported that the Nabi (salallahu alayhi wasallam.) said, “Indeed the best of remedies you have is cupping (hijama)…” [Saheeh al-Bukhaari (5371)
Abu Hurairah r.a. reported that the Nabi (salallahu alayhi wasallam.) said, “If there was something excellent to be used as a remedy then it is cupping (hijama).” (Sunan abi Dawud (3857), Sunan ibn Maajah (3476)
The Angels Recommending Cupping (Hijama):
Abdullah ibn Abbas r.a. reported that the Nabi (salallahu alayhi wasallam.) said, “I did not pass by an angel from the angels on the night journey except that they all said to me: Upon you is cupping (hijama), O Muhammad.” (Sunan ibn Maajah (3477) in the narration reported by Abdullah ibn Mas’ud r.a. the angels said, “Oh Muhammad, order your Ummah (nation) with cupping (hijama).” [Sunan Tirmidhee (3479)
Cupping (Hijama) Is a Preventative Medicine:
Anas ibn Maalik r.a. reported that the Nabi (salallahu alayhi wasallam.) said, “Whoever wants to perform cupping (hijama) then let him search for the 17th, 19th and 21st day (of the Islamic, lunar month) and let none of you allow his blood to rage (boil) such that it kills him.” [Sunan ibn Maajah (3486).
Anas ibn Maalik r.a. reported that the Nabi (salallahu alayhi wasallam.) said, “When the weather becomes extremely hot, seek aid in cupping (hijama). Do not allow your blood to rage (boil) such that it kills you.” [Reported by Hakim in his ‘Mustadrak’ and he authenticated it and Imam ad-Dhahabi agreed (4/212).
In Cupping (Hijama) There Is A Cure and A blessing:
Abdullah ibn Abbas r.a. reported that the Nabi (salallahu alayhi wasallam.) said, “Healing is in three things: in the incision of the cupper, in drinking honey, and in cauterizing with fire, but I forbid my Ummah (nation) from cauterization (branding with fire).” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (5681),Sunan ibn Maajah (3491)
Jaabir ibn Abdullah r.a. reported that the Nabi (salallahu alayhi wasallam.) said, “Indeed in cupping (hijama) there is a cure.” [Saheeh Muslim (5706)
Ibn Umar r.a. reported that the Nabi (salallahu alayhi wasallam.) said, “Cupping (hijama) on an empty stomach* is best. In it is a cure and a blessing…” [Sunan ibn Maajah (3487).
*Alaa ar-reeq in arabic means to fast until after being treated with cupping. Once the treatment of cupping has been completed, one may eat and drink.
Cupping (Hijama) In Its Time Is A Cure for Every Disease:
Abu Hurairah r.a. reported that the Nabi (salallahu alayhi wasallam.) said, “Whoever performs cupping (hijama) on the 17th, 19th or 21st day (of the Islamic, lunar month) then it is a cure for every disease.” [Sunan abi Dawud (3861).
The Best Days for Cupping (Hijama):
The best days for cupping (hijama) are the 17th, 19th and 21st of the Islamic, lunar month which coincides with Monday, Tuesday or Thursday.
Anas ibn Maalik r.a. reported that the Nabi (salallahu alayhi wasallam.) said, “Whoever wants to perform cupping (hijama) then let him search for the 17th, 19th and 21st…” [Sunan ibn Maajah (3486)
Ibn Umar r.a. reported that the Nabi (salallahu alayhi wasallam.) said, “Cupping (hijama) on an empty stomach* is best. In it is a cure and a blessing. It improves the intellect and the memory. So cup yourselves with the blessing of Allah on Thursday. Keep away from cupping (hijama) on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday to be safe. Perform cupping (hijama) on Monday and Tuesday for it is the day that Allah saved Ayoub from a trial. He was inflicted with the trial on Wednesday. You will not find leprosy except (by being cupped) on Wednesday or Wednesday night.” [Sunan ibn Maajah (3487).
Ibn Umar r.a. reported that the Nabi (salallahu alayhi wasallam.) said, “Cupping (hijama) on an empty stomach is best. It increases the intellect and improves the memory. It improves the memory of the one memorising. So whoever is going to be cupped then (let it be) on a thursday in the name of Allah Keep away from being cupped on a Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Be cupped on a Monday or Tuesday. Do not be cupped on a Wednesday because it is the day that Ayoub was befallen with a trial. You will not find leprosy except (by being cupped) on Wednesday or Wednesday night.” Sunan ibn Maajah (3488)
* ‘alaa ar-reeq in arabic means to fast until after being treated with cupping. Once the treatment of cupping has been completed, one may eat and drink. as for the Islamic day and night, the night enters before the day. So at sunset on Tuesday, Wednesday night comes in. Cupping (hijama) is best performed during the daytime between the adhaan of fajr and the adhaan of maghrib because yawm in arabic means daytime.
The Sunnah days for cupping (hijama) every month are when the 17th, 19th or 21st of the Islamic, lunar month coincide with a Monday, Tuesday or Thursday. These are the best and most beneficial days for cupping (hijama). If one is not able to be cupped on the 17th, 19th or 21st (coinciding with Monday, Tuesday or Thursday) then any Monday, Tuesday or Thursday of the month. The most beneficial days for cupping (hijama) after the Sunnah days are the closest Monday, Tuesday or Thursday to the 17th, 19th or 21st of the Islamic, lunar month and Allah knows best.
Cupping (Hijama) May Be Used For:
Headaches
Salma r.a., the servant of the Nabi (salallahu alayhi wasallam.) said, “Whenever someone would complain of a headache to the Messenger of Allah r, he r would advise them to perform cupping (hijama).” Sunan abi Dawud (3858)
Magic
Ibn al-Qaiyum (may Allah have mercy on him) mentions that the Nabi (salallahu alayhi wasallam.) was cupped on his head when he was afflicted with magic and that it is from the best of cures for this if performed correctly. Zaad al Ma’aad (4/125-126)
Poison
Abdullah ibn Abbas r.a. reported that a Jewish woman gave poisoned meat to the Nabi (salallahu alayhi wasallam.) so he r sent her a message saying, “What caused you to do that?” She replied, “If you really are a Prophet then Allah will inform you of it and if you are not then I would save the people from you!” When the Nabi (salallahu alayhi wasallam.) felt pain from it, he r performed cupping (hijama). Once he travelled while in Ihram and felt that pain and hence performed cupping(hijama)[Ahmed (1/305) the hadeeth is hasan (good chain with all the paths)
Strengthening One’s Intelligence and Memory
Ibn Umar r.a. reported that the Nabi (salallahu alayhi wasallam.) said, “Cupping (hijama) on an empty stomach* is best. In it is a cure and a blessing. It improves the intellect and the memory…”Sunan ibn Maajah (3487).
* ‘alaa ar-reeq in arabic means to fast until after being treated with cupping. Once the treatment of cupping has been completed, one may eat and drink.
Dislocation/Bruising
Jaabir ibn Abdullah r.a. reported that the Nabi (salallahu alayhi wasallam.) fell from his horse onto the trunk of a palm tree and dislocated his foot. Waki’t said, “Meaning the Nabi (salallahu alayhi wasallam.) Was cupped on (his foot) for bruising.” [Sunan ibn Maajah (2807).
Cupping (Hijama) While fasting or In the State Of Ihram
Abdullah ibn Abbas r.a. reported that the Nabi (salallahu alayhi wasallam.) was cupped on his head for a unilateral headache while he was in Ihraam. (Saheeh al-Bukhaaree 5701).
Abdullah ibn Abbas r.a. reported that the Nabi (salallahu alayhi wasallam.) was cupped while he was fasting. [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (5694).
Anas ibn Maalik r.a. was asked: “Did you dislike cupping for the fasting person?” He said, “No except for the reason of one becoming weak.” (Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (1940).
This is not affected by the hadeeth, “The cupper and the one being cupped have broken their fast.” [Saheeh see Irwaa al-Ghaleel (931)]. This is because the hadeeth is abrogated as Sheikh al-Albaani and ibn Hazm (may Allah have mercy upon them) showed by the following hadeeth:
Abu Sa’eed al-Khudhree r.a. said, “The Nabi (salallahu alayhi wasallam.) Validated cupping for the fasting person.” [Saheeh see Irwaa al-Ghaleel (4/74).
It appears that cupping (hijama) is allowed but disliked as Anas ibn Maalik r.a. mentioned because the fasting person becomes weak if they perform cupping (hijama) and Allah knows best.
Areas of Cupping (Hijama)
Anas ibn Maalik r.a. reported that the Nabi (salallahu alayhi wasallam.) was treated with cupping (hijama) three times on the two veins at the side of the neck and the base of the neck. Sunan abi Dawud (3860), ibn Maajah (3483).
Abdullah ibn Abbas r.a. reported that the Nabi (salallahu alayhi wasallam.) was cupped on his head. [Saheeh al-Bukhaari (5699)
Abdullah ibn ‘Umar r.a. reported that the Nabi (salallahu alayhi wasallam.) used to cup his head and would call it (the place at the top of the head) “Umm Mugheeth.”Saheehah (753), Saheeh al-Jaami’ (4804)
Jaabir ibn Abdullah r.a. reported that the Nabi (salallahu alayhi wasallam.) was treated with cupping (hijama) on his hip for a pain in that area. [Sunan abi Dawud (3863)
Anas ibn Maalik r.a. reported that the Nabi (salallahu alayhi wasallam.) was treated with cupping (hijama)
when he was in Ihram, on the top of his foot, for a pain in that area. (Sunan abi Dawud 1836).
Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allaah have mercy on him) said, “Cupping (hijama) under the chin is beneficial for pain in the teeth, face and throat, if it is performed in its proper time. It purifies the head and the jaws.
Cupping (hijama) on the top of the foot is a substitution for the puncturing of the Saphena, which is a large vein in the heel. It is beneficial for treating ulcers that occur on the thighs and calves, the interruption of menses and skin irritation on the testicles.
Cupping (hijama) at the bottom of the chest is beneficial for the treatment of sores, scabies and mange on the thighs. It helps against gout, hemorrhoids, elephantiasis and itchiness on the back.” (Zaad al-Ma’aad, 4/58)
Cupping (Hijama) for Women
Jaabir ibn Abdullah r.a. reported Umm Salama (may Allah be pleased with her) asked permission from the Messenger s.a.w to be treated with cupping (hijama). So the Nabi (salallahu alayhi wasallam.) ordered Abu Teeba r.a. to cup her. Jaabir ibn Abdullah r.a. said,” I think he s.a.w. said that Abu Teeba r.a. is her brother through breastfeeding or a young boy who didn’t reach puberty”. [Saheeh Muslim (5708), abu Dawud (4102), ibn Maajah (3480).
